California Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Protect Minors on Social Networks

The measure, authored by Democratic Senator Ellen Corbett, is aimed at giving parents the power to keep their children from putting certain private information on the web.

This bill would allow a 96 hour window for a social networking site to comply with a parent's takedown request. Sites could face a $10,000 fine for not complying with the request in time.

Companies like Facebook and Twitter oppose the bill, saying the takedown period is too short and fines too high. Other opposition groups like the California ACLU view this as a violation of the free speech rights of minors and gives parents the power to censor their child online.

However Corbett dismisses these claims, stating that the bill's scope is narrow and includes only certain important information like social security, phone, and credit card numbers.

“The only information we're asking to be made available for removal are the very same bits of information that law enforcement warn people to keep out of the hands of others,” said Corbett.

The bill has passed out of the Senate and will be taken up in an Assembly committee when the legislature returns in August.

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